All of us at The Independent have been talking about the shows we loved or can’t wait to finish. We enjoy dropping into these fascinating worlds and attempting to figure out ways to possibly further immerse ourselves. My favorite way: read a book (shocker I know)! There’s something deeply satisfying about finding a book that captures the same magic as your favorite TV show – whether it’s the opulent drama of high society, the twisted thrill of a psychological mystery, or the eerie quiet of dystopian office life. If you, like us, have recently loved The Gilded Age, Dept. Q, or Severance and you’re craving more of their unique flavors, here are a few fun books to dive into next.
The Gilded Age on HBO
The Social Graces by Renée Rosen
Set in the same era as The Gilded Age, Renée’s historical fiction novel dives into the fierce social rivalry between Caroline Astor and Alva Vanderbilt, two women at the heart of New York’s elite. It’s rich with detail, drama, and the kind of power plays that make HBO’s series so compelling. If you loved the show’s focus on social climbing, old money versus new money, and the battle for influence, this book is a must-read.
Belle Cora by Phillip Margulies
This sweeping historical novel follows a woman navigating 19th-century America, from respectable society to the criminal underworld. Set as a memoir, Belle Cora is a complex heroine who defies the expectations of her time, similar to some of The Gilded Age’s most memorable characters. With its blend of grit, glamour, and ambition, it’s an engrossing companion to the show’s themes.
Dept. Q on Netflix
The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler
If you loved Dept. Q, chilling Nordic noir is right up your alley. The Hypnotist delivers on all fronts. This Swedish thriller introduces a detective with a troubled past and a case that spirals into something far more disturbing than expected. It’s dark, atmospheric, and relentlessly suspenseful.
The Eighth Detective by Alex Pavesi
If you’re drawn to the cerebral side of crime-solving, this inventive mystery plays with the structure of detective fiction itself. A mathematician turned mystery writer hides secrets in his stories, and an editor begins to uncover the disturbing truth behind them. It also looks into the past and plays in a similar sandbox.
Severance on Apple TV
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
For those captivated by Severance’s surreal take on corporate control and emotional detachment, Ottessa’s novel explores a different side: a woman who chooses to opt out of the world entirely. With pitch-black humor and razor-sharp observations, it examines the desire to escape modern life, not through procedure, but through pharmaceuticals and isolation.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Sayaka’s quietly unsettling novel follows Keiko, a woman who finds purpose in the rigid routines of her job at a Tokyo convenience store. The corporate absurdities and societal expectations she navigates mirror the eerie tone of Severance. Both the show and this book ask, what do we give up to fit into the world?
Happy Reading!
Featured in the August 9, 2025 issue of The Independent
